Despite the disappointing success of the Flexplay EZ-D disposable DVD, a French company has developed their own disposable DVD (DVD-D). Like an EZ-D, the disc is sold in a protective packaging where the disc will remain unaffected until the user opens the packaging. Once opened, the special added layer on the disc oxidises with the air making the disc unreadable after a period of between 8 and 24 hours. The company claims that it would be extremely complex to tamper with the disc or repair it to make it readable again.
Like EZ-D, the main advantage would be eliminating the returning of a disc, thus also eliminating late rental fees, memberships, tracking, scratched rental discs and reduce piracy (due to shorter viewing window). DVD-D's could also be distributed using kiosks or sold like any other grocery. According to the company, the replication costs are low enough to allow these to be sold at the price of current rental prices. The discs and all its packaging can also be recycled. Thanks to
Lacrymator for submitting the following news via our news submit :
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It is not the world's first suicidal DVD. Last year, Flexplay Technologies, based in New York, announced a DVD with a 48-hour viewing window. Like the DVD-D, a Flexplay-enabled DVD works in all players, DVD drives and gaming systems designed to accept a standard DVD. The makers of the DVD-D claim their product is much cheaper to produce. The company also says there are no ways to repair the disc after the weathering process has made it unreadable. Solutions to repair the disc would be extremely complex. |
The likely reason I could see why Flexplay discs did not take off is due to their price. The Flexplay discs were often sold more than the price of a regular rental including a late rental fine! Due to their poor success, many retail chains decided to stop stocking these discs. Maybe this company will learn from the mistakes and have better success with its format.
